Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, D: Agriculture and Veterinary, Volume 21 Issue 7

weed cover (MfRP: 21.25 ± 1.25%, MfRC: 23.75 ± 3.15% and MfRMb: 22.50 ± 1.44%) compared to mulch (MWLF: 26.25 ± 1.25%) and bare soil (M: 27.50 ± 5.81%). Table 3: Combined effects of mulching and legumes on weed growth Weed growth Treatments 14 DAP 28 DAP 42 DAP 56 DAP MwRP M 22.50 a 21.66 a 25.83 a 18.75 c SE 3.23 3.53 6.25 1.25 MfRP M 17.50 a 18.75 a 22.91 a 21.25 b SE 2.5 2.39 4.73 1.25 MwRC M 20.00 a 24.16 a 29.58 a 20.00 c SE 3.53 3.4 1.57 2.04 MfRC M 18.75 a 18.75 a 25.41 a 23.75 b SE 2.39 3.75 3.75 3.15 MwRMb M 18.75 a 23.75 a 28.75 a 17.50 c SE 2.39 3.15 6.71 1.44 MfRMb M 15.00 a 17.50 a 32.50 a 22.50 b SE - 2.5 3.88 1.44 MWLF M 18.75 a 17.50 a 26.66 a 26.25 a SE 1.25 1.44 2.63 1.25 MfLf M 17.50 a 20.00 a 29.91 a 27.50 a SE 2.5 2.89 5.81 5.81 Freedom Degree 7 7 7 7 p-value 0.618 0.631 0.882 0.005 Significance NS NS NS ** c) Effects of mulching and legumes on maize height growth The specific and combined effects of mulch and legumes on maize plant height growth are presented in Table 3. The height varied from one treatment to another. At 15 th DAP, the average height of maize plants ranged from 4.72 ± 0.11 cm (MfRP) to 5.69 ± 0.06 cm (MwRP). The greatest growth was with the MwRMb treatment (5.52 ± 0.28 cm). All treatments with mulching improved maize height (MwRMb: 5.52 ± 0.28 cm, MwRP: 5.69 ± 0.06 cm, MwRC: 5.64 ± 0.45 cm and MWLF: 5.27 ± 0.25 cm) compared to treatments without mulch (MfRP: 4.72 ± 0.11 cm, MfRMb: 4.70 ± 0.21 cm and M: 4.95 ± 0.25 cm) except for the MfRC treatment (5.34 ± 0.28 cm). However, there were no significant differences between treatments. At 30 th DAR, the height also ranged from 21.71 ± 0.89 cm (MfRC) to 26.88 ± 1.10 cm (MwRP), although no significant difference between treatments was detected. At this stage of growth, the greatest growth was when the soil was covered with straw mulch. All crops under mulch had more growth (MwRP: 26.88 ± 1.10 cm, MwRC: 24.29 ± 1.10 cm, MwRMb: 24.75 ± 0.97 cm and MWLF: 24.36 ± 1.93 cm) compared to crops not mulched (MfRP: 22.35 ± 0.46 cm; MfRC: 21.71 ± 0.89; MfRMb: 21.94 ± 0.89 cm and M: 22.12 ± 1.00 cm). At the 45 th DAP, although no significant differences were detected, maize plant height growth varied among treatments. The most growth was with the MwRMb treatment (97.17 ± 7.77 cm), and the least growth was with the MfLf treatment (76.33 ± 6.31 cm). As at 30 th DAP, maize plants had good growth on the mulched plots (MwRP: 95.12 ± 5.12 cm, MwRC: 88.29 ± 5.40 cm, MwRMb: 97.17 ± 7.77 cm and MWLF: 93.29 ± 7.08 cm) compared to unmulched plots (MFRP: 81.54 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VII Year 2021 7 ( D ) © 2021 Global Journals Version I Effects of Cereal-Legume Intercropping and Mulching on Maize ( Zea Mays L.) Productivity in Dry Season using Drip Irrigation in South-Sudanian Climatic Zone of Burkina Faso M: mean; ES: standard error; NS: non-significant (p > 0.05), **: p < 0.01. Numbers with the same superscript in the same column were not statistically different at the 5% threshold. MwRP: Maize with Rice straw combined with Peanut; MfRP: Maize free of rice Straw combined with Peanut; MwRC: Maize with Rice straw combined with Cowpea; MfRC: Maize free of Rice straw combined with Cowpea; MwRMb: Maize with Rice straw combined with Mung bean; MfRMb: Maize free of Rice straw combined with Mung bean; MwLf: Maize with Rice straw and Legume-free; MfLf: Maize free of rice straw and Legume-free